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Bid to stop young ‘loitering’ in Millom

YOUTHS roaming the streets of Millom on a Saturday night could soon be a thing of the past.

A Youth Zone has been set up to cater for 11-19-year-olds at Millom Recreation Centre.

Carlisle-based Quasar Mobile Laser Maze will set up a 24-gun laser tag game in the sports hall, for tomorrow’s opening night at the Lancashire Road centre.

Julie Forrest, one of the founders of South Copeland Youth Providers, the group behind the Youth Zone, said: “We decided to create the Youth Zone on a Saturday night, aimed at youngsters who didn’t have any where to go, to keep them off the streets.

“You always see the kids walking around the streets of a Saturday night.

“We’ve found in the past that they just want somewhere to go that’s warm and safe.”

After gaining thousands of pounds of funding, the group is looking forward to giving the youngsters of Millom somewhere to go.

Mrs Forrest added: “It’s good to be able to put something on for the youth and hopefully it’ll grow once it’s properly up and running.

“We’re giving them a chance to have a say on what they’d like to do, and eventually they can help run it.”

Councillors and Millom police said there was a need for better services to prevent youngsters from “loitering around the town”.

A Copeland police spokesman said: “People often highlight to us that there are very few activities or youth clubs in the Millom area for young people to get involved in so that they can keep themselves entertained.

“Copeland police are always keen to support activities for young people that can offer them somewhere fun and safe to go – which the new Youth Zone aims to do.

“This will help young people to enjoy themselves, socialise and also help to prevent them from loitering around the town and getting involved in anti-social behaviour which we know can affect the quality of lives of all local residents.”

Councillor Ray Cole said: “It’s a great initiative. The young people need somewhere to go and the Youth Zone will be an ideal venue.

“Youths don’t have an awful lot to do in the town, so if this keeps them off the streets and they’re enjoying themselves then that can only be a good thing.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at the group can contact Tracy Kirk or Julie Forrest at Millom Recreation Centre on 01229 774985.

Have your say

My facts are correct Brian. My son went there Mondays to a small group session that helped him mix with others his age and my disabled nephew went to a youth club for children with disabilities and learning difficulties on Tuesday's, i also know that young people from Broughton and Ulpha made use of the service so yes I know what I am talking about. You will find that very few people volunteer for youth work these days as today's youth is not the youth of old. That is why the professional team at the Children's Centre and the funding they had are sorely missed by this community. As for this governments provision for young people, well that's just the same as any Tory government before. Dire!

Posted by tracy on
21 January 2013 at 19:17

My facts are correct Brian. My son went there Mondays to a small group session that helped him mix with others his age and my disabled nephew went to a youth club for children with disabilities and learning difficulties on Tuesday's, i also know that young people from Broughton and Ulpha made use of the service so yes I know what I am talking about. You will find that very few people volunteer for youth work these days as today's youth is not the youth of old. That is why the professional team at the Children's Centre and the funding they had are sorely missed by this community. As for this governments provision for young people, well that's just the same as any Tory government before. Dire!